Napier Community Patrols contribute to crime reduction

In 2007, Napier recorded a 6.5 percent decrease in crime. This included a significant 15 percent drop in dishonesty crimes, which local Police are largely attributing to a strong Community Patrols presence in the city.

Wind the clock back to early 2006, and long-serving Maraenui Community Senior Constable Pete Gimblett was persevering with earlier attempts to get Community Patrols up and running in Napier.

Pete had again put out the call for volunteers and this time secured the services of Sandy and Brook Ibbotson. In doing so, he convinced Sandy to take on the role of Community Patrols coordinator.

Since then, the Napier Community Patrols (NACP) – operating under the banner of Community Patrols New Zealand – has gone from strength to strength, with early volunteer numbers swelling from 45 to more than 90 since October 2006.

Early in the set up, a $25,000 grant from the Greenmeadows Rotary Club enabled the NACP to purchase two highly-visible cars. A number of other sponsorships have contributed to the vehicles’ running costs and branding, with personalised plates ‘NACP1’ and ‘NACP2’, and Meercat stickers on the cars depicting the recognised sentries of the wild.

“While the strong relationship between Police, the coordinator and the volunteers has real value, the dedicated leadership exhibited by the coordinator has been a key to the successes,” says Napier Area Commander, Inspector Kevin Kalff, who has the community policing portfolio for the Eastern Police district.

“Sandy is a fantastic coordinator, well supported by her husband Brook. She’s highly committed, a great people person, and really motivates her team.”

Each day, the Community Patrollers receive specific taskings, ensuring hot spots are covered as far as possible throughout high-risk times of offending.

Kevin says their brief is primarily property protection, and the benefits of this targeted approach are being realised.

Year to date figures show commercial burglaries are down 21 percent, and unlawful takings are down 12 percent. Thefts from cars are also down 21 percent, on top of a 41 percent reduction the previous year.

“I can quite confidently say the Community Patrols have had a significant impact in these areas,” says Kevin.

In the past, major entertainment events in and around Napier have provided opportunities for motivated offenders.

However, in the past year, only one theft-ex car has been reported from five major rugby games, three cricket matches and three concerts.

“This is a result of Sandy’s taskings and the commitment of the patrollers,” says Kevin.

Complementary Police activities – such as providing a newsletter with crime updates, patterns of offending and crime prevention advice to business owners in Napier’s two industrial areas - have also contributed to the commercial burglary reduction.

Pete and Sandy run regular training sessions with the volunteers, covering off topics such as keeping themselves safe, radio use and observation techniques.

The training sessions are further valued as they’re used to give volunteers details of crime reductions and feedback on their work.

And how is the NACP being received in Napier?

Sandy recently realised the Napier Community Patrols had come of age when some rather harshly worded graffiti was jointly directed at the patrols and Police.

“We are obviously up there with you guys,” she said.

“The Napier Community Patrols have certainly been a great success and Pete’s personal belief, perseverance, and nurturing has really paid off,” says Kevin.